Vitoria
in the
Basque
Country
is
41km
south
of
Bilbao
and up
until
the
1980's
was a
sleepy,
quiet
hamlet.
It was
in the
early
1980's
that
it was
chosen
as the
headquarters
for
the
Basque
region's
government.
The
airport
of
Vitoria-Foronda
lies
just
5km
from
the
centre.

Vitoria
was
founded
on the
site
of a
small
hamlet
called
Gasteiz,
perched
on the
top of
a
hill.
Sancho
el
Sabio,
king
of
Navarre
and
founder
of the
city
chose
Gasteiz
as a
stronghold
against
Castille
and
granted
the
town
its
charter
in
1181.
Vitoria
continued
to
grow,
protected
behind
the
city
walls.
It had
three
streets
which
crossed
the
hill
from
north
to
south,
around
which
the
town
was
laid
out in
the
shape
of an
almond.
The
structure
of the
medieval
town
still
remains.
In the
middle
ages
Vitoria
was
renowned
for
its
craftsmen
and
merchants
whose
guilds
gave
rise
to the
names
of
streets.
At the
end of
the
18th
century
the
city
began
to
expand
outside
its
walls.
During
this
period
the
Plaza
de
España
was
constructed,
marking
the
expansion
to the
south.

In the
mid-19th
century
Vitoria
expanded
towards
the
south.
This
area
is now
the
city
centre
and
main
shopping
area.
Most
of the
streets
and
squares
in the
centre
are
pedestrianised
and
contain
a
large
number
of
sculptures
from
the
Basque
Country,
converting
the
city
centre
into
an
open-air
art
gallery.
Here
you
will
also
find
stately
mansions,
19th
century
houses
and
the
new
Cathedral.
Calle
Paz is
the
main
shopping
street
of the
city
and
marks
the
eastern
boundary
of the
city
centre.

Palacio
de
Bendana:
1525,
home
of the
Fournier
playing
card
museum,
one of
the
most
impressive
collections
in the
world.

Casa
Armera
de los
Gobeo:
16th
century
former
home
now
houses
the
Archaeological
Museum.

Torre
de los
Anda:
9th
century
fortified
house
and
tower.

Cathedral
de
Santa
Maria:
14th
century
with
triple
Gothic
portico.

Old
City
walls:
13th
century.

Places
to
visit
in the
city
centre

Plaza
de la
Virgen
Blanca:
17th
century,
known
as the
old
square.
In
ancient
times,
markets
were
held
here,
outside
the
city
walls.
The
square
is
dominated
by the
church
of San
Miguel.
All
around
the
square
one
can
see
characteristic
buildings.
In the
centre
stands
the
monument
to the
battle
of
Vitoria.

Church
of San
Antonio:
17th
century
with
Baroque
doorway
and
impressive
sculptures.

Palacio
de la
Provincia:
1833.
Home
of the
Provincial
Council
of
Alava.

New
Cathedral:
1907-1973.
Neo-Gothic
style.

Plaza
de
Espana:
1971.
Forms
a
perfect
square
and
houses
the
main
Town
Hall
on one
side.

Of
special
interest
to the
visitor
is the
Parque
de la
Florida,
dated
1820.
It is
located
behind
the
parliament
building.
These
romantic
gardens
feature
streams
and
copses
and is
one of
the
most
attractive
places
in the
city.
The
bandstand
was
built
in
1890
and is
used
every
Sunday
in the
summer
and
spring.
The
tourist
office
is
located
close
to
here.

Next
to the
park
starts
a
promenade
that
stretches
3.5km
to the
Basilica
de
Armentia.
It is
covered
by a
canopy
of
trees
and is
lined
with
parks,
mansions
and
museums.
The
Paseo
de la
Senda
is
worthy
of a
walk,
whatever
time
of
year.